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Australia is out of step, so let’s move to delivering retirement incomes

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Australia’s superannuation system might be the envy of other nations, but when it comes to the retirement phase it can work much better than it does. There is a fundamental need to develop a stronger income-focused framework so that the Australian community, as well as the government and the super industry, appreciate that the primary purpose of superannuation is to provide regular and sustainable retirement income.

A new approach to the annuity puzzle: Decision states and longevity literacy

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The low take-up of annuities has been a feature of the market for decades, and while various theories have been put forward to explain this, there has never been a definitive answer. A study by the School of Risk & Actuarial Studies at the UNSW Business School sheds new light on the issue and uncovers some issues that should help superannuation funds as they strive to meet their retirement income objectives.

Admin, regulatory woes overshadowed investment success in 2025

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Clockwise, from left: Mark Delaney, Debby Blakey, Daniel Mulino, Kristian Fok.

In 2025, the institutional investment sector was rocked by admin growing pains in super and the collapse of the Shield and First Guardian investment schemes. But the year also saw funds take the world stage and finally begin the shift to a decumulation mindset.

A reignited ‘Super War’ puts industry’s success at risk

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Netwealth’s belated decision to make First Guardian consumers whole offers an opportunity for the superannuation sector to avoid descending into a partisan conflict between profit-to-member funds and private sector retail funds and platforms. While impassioned responses to this disaster are understandable, disunity will only weaken confidence in our unique retirement savings system and delay or destroy the project to expand access to advice.

Netwealth to compensate First Guardian investors $100m, pull govt bailout application

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Netwealth has given certainty to First Guardian investors on its platform before Christmas, with 1000 investors to be remediated $100 million by the end of January. Netwealth will use cash and debt to fund the compensation, which it expects will impact profit by $71 million in 1H26.

Three years on, funds assess progress on delivering the Retirement Income Covenant

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Criticism of super funds for moving too slowly on the Retirement Income Covenant (RIC) is a recurring theme at industry events and in regulator commentary. But super funds argue that perceptions of slow progress mask the value and pace of change taking place behind the scenes as systems are upgraded, data is cleaned and readied and solutions are prepared for launch.

Making super funds compete for members will benefit everyone

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Australia has developed a $4.1 trillion superannuation system, but the fact that it does not provide even basic information for consumers to compare retirement options is a source of embarrassment. Consumer-focused transparency is vital and should be prioritised so that future generations of retirees have access to free, reliable and easy to use information.

Good vibrations: What vibe coding means for superannuation

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The promise of AI is immense, but its realised benefits continue to lag. One area where it is having a notable impact is on supporting super funds to co-create software and applications that deliver better member experience and can be updated and iterated regularly.

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Investment Magazine provides in-depth, monthly analysis of trends and developments for all the businesses in which superannuation funds engage‚ including asset allocation, investment manager selection, custody and fund accounting, member administration, group insurance and compliance.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land upon which Conexus Financial sits, the Cadigal of the Eora Nation. We recognise their continuing connection and unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and community. We pay our deepest respects to them and their culture, and to Elders both past and present.

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